used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
any thing at all
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
better'n
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
a youthful male person
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
breedverbUS /briːd/
call forth
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
coyotesnounUS /kaɪˈoʊtis/
plural of “coyote” — small wolf native to western North America
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
deepeningnounUS /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
a young female
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
huntin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
and nothing more
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
long-delayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
mathematicaladjectiveUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl/
of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
pupsnounUS /pʌps/
plural of “pup” — young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
with speed
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
have in common
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
stakedverbUS /steɪkt/
past form of “stake” — put at risk
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "And supper just now is better than anything," sighed Hope to herself.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading In the deepening shadows of the evening Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed supper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The boy heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy with a mathematical problem.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, so you may have them," said the girl.
